For a few moments Sunday afternoon, the Grand Prix of Long Beach took a somber turn.
Shortly before the IndyCar Series drivers started their engines for the titular Grand Prix, race officials and local leaders paused the festivities to pay tribute to Jim Michaelian, an iconic figure in Long Beach and motorsports history.
Michaelian, the former president and CEO of the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach, died March 21 at 83 years old, only a few weeks before he was to lead the city’s 200-mph beach party for the last time. Ask anyone in the know and they’ll say Michaelian was the driving force behind the Grand Prix becoming one of Long Beach’s biggest annual events and the second-most prestigious IndyCar race, behind only the Indianapolis 500.
“I first met Jim in June of 1975 on an elevator at the Port of Long Beach, where we were headed for a dreaded Coastal Commission hearing,” Grand Prix founder Chris Pook said during the tribute, with Michaelian’s wife, Mary, and children Mike and Bob standing behind him. “He had heard about a Monte Carlo style street race being proposed for Long Beach and wanted to get involved.”
During his career, Michaelian led the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach through not only the boom times, but also some challenges, Pook said.
“He led the company successfully through the IndyCar wars,” Pook said. “He earned yours, the city’s and the sponsors’ respect and rebuilt the attendance only to be knocked down again by the COVID pandemic from 2019 to 2020. And, once again, he rebuilt the company as witnessed by your presence here today in what seem to me to be record numbers.”
The large crowd, which just moments ago had been cheering, dancing and chatting, were still, listening to Pook.
“In a cruel strike, he was taken from us, but knowing Jim Michaelian as I do, I know that if he were here today, he would want to say thank you,” Pook said. “Thank you to you for being here, (and) thank you to his team at the Grand Prix Association of Long Beach.”
Pook concluded his speech by asking the crowd to pay tribute to Michaelian.
“Please join me in saying thank you, Jim Michaelian, for what you gave this company, this city and this sport,” Pook said to a somber crowd. “Thank you to his wife, Mary. Thank you to his two sons, Mike and Bob, for giving us Jim Michaelian for the past 51 years. God bless you, Jim. May you rest in peace.”
The crowd erupted into applause.
Then, Pook moved to the side of the stage as a tribute video played on the large screens above the crowds, featuring photos of Michaelian’s life and career, from 1975 to last year, when the Grand Prix celebrated its golden anniversary.
Jim Liaw, co-founder of Formula DRIFT, took the stage following the tribute video.
Liaw, had already been appointed to succeed the man he viewed as a mentor. But when Michaelian died last month, he assumed the role a few months early.
“Jim has been a mentor and champion throughout my career in motorsports,” Liaw said. “So, standing here today is truly an honor.”
Long Beach Mayor Rex Richardson concluding the tribute, emphasizing the impact Michaelian and the Grand Prix of Long Beach has had on the city.
“As our dear friend Jim Michaelian would say,” the mayor said, “‘there’s nowhere in the world where you will find a 200-mile-an-hour beach party, but here at the Long Beach Grand Prix.’”
Shortly after the tribute, the green flag waved, and the Grand Prix of Long Beach got underway for the first time without its longtime leader.